12 May 2010
Holiday Drama Wordle
I put dad's story of his holiday drama into 'Wordle'. It displays the more commonly used words in the passage in a larger font.
26 April 2010
Escape from Zurich
Well, this is my first effort as a blogger, so we'll see what happens!
On April 14 I took a flight from London to Zurich to attend a conference for the PartyLite financial controllers; yes, I know, that doesn't sound terribly exciting. And, you're right, it wasn't all that exciting, but the Icelandic volcanic eruption certainly made the return journey something to remember. There were 3 UK attendees, Hirbai, my Senior Management Accountant, Andrew, the financial controller for our manufacturing plant in Cumbria and me. Although British airprts closed on the Thursday, Zurich airport remained open until Friday evening. It didn't make a lot ofdifference for Hirbai and me, and Andrew thought he might be able to catch his scheduled Saturday flight, but those hopes were dashed when we returned to our hotel at the airport on Friday night from a meal in the city.
At breakfast on Saturday morning Hirbai and I, who had been practising the "let's wait and see" philosophy decided that it was time to try and make a run for the coast. I contacted Madeleine, one of my work colleagues in the Swiss office, who somehow managed to find what we think may have been the only car available for a one way rental to France. I took a cab to their depot, completed the paperwork (which virtually involved paying a substantial deposit for the purchase of the car), and then waited for Madeleine, who had agreed to lead me back to the hotel so I could collect my luggage and my two friends.
Around midday we set off in the direction of Basel, which was reached fairly quickly. Just before we reached Basel I remembered the roadside service centre at which Lynne, the boys and I had stopped during our short European trip in 1991. It sticks in the memory because of the large Toblerone we purchased and then had to eat very quickly, as, due to the heat of the day, it was melting almost as quickly as we ate it.
Soon after passing through Basel we crossed the border and were in France. Our route then took us north in the general direction of Strasbourg, after which we headed west past nancy, Reims, Amiens and then to Rouen, where we had decided to stay the night. I was the sole driver, so during the afternoon we had taken two hourly stops, which, along with the supplies of water, juice, fruit, chips and sweets, had made it a relatively easy journey. We were very fortunate in being able to find 3 available rooms in the first hotel at which we stopped, and once the car was in its parking space we all headed to our respective rooms and had a great night's sleep.
During the afternoon I had been on the phone with Lynne, who, with Tristan's assistance had been able to book 3 ferry tickets for us for Sunday evening from Le Havre to Portsmouth. That left a relatively easy drive from Rouen to Le Havre on the Sunday morning and we headed for the rental car depot. Just to complicate matters the car was supposed to be dropped off at Calais, however Lynne and Tristan had found the only place from which we could catch a ferry was Le Havre, so we decided that Le Havre would be the car drop-off point! After some more adventures associated with the fact that the rental car depots were not open on Sunday we dropped it off at the airport (which was very quiet) and then took a cab back to the port area. We had a relaxing lunch after which we located the ferry depot and exchanged our text messaged ticket details for the ferry ticket.
We sailed at around 6.30 pm and arrived pretty well on time just before 9.00 pm. Again, Lynne and Tristan had been busy back at home in London and had booked train tickets for the journey from Portsmouth the London - on the 9.37 pm train. That led to the next challenge, as the ferry company decided to keep the foot passengers (us) on the ferry until all those with cars had driven off. They then decided that we should be taken 100 metres by bus to the Immigration area, which made the chances of us catching the train the more remote. The Immigration officer who dealt with me was very nice and polite, but very slow; another delay!
We caught a cab without any trouble and headed for the railway station. We arrived at about 9.40 pm, but the train was on time, so had already departed. The cab driver then made us an offer we couldn't refuse and we then headed off to London in the cab. We were dropped off at the Heathrow car park where I had left my car when I took the flight on the Wednesday; I dropped Hirbai at her home and then Andrew and I headed to our place, where we arrived at around 12.30 am. Andrew stayed the night and I took him to Watford Junction station the next morning, from where he caught a train north. He sent me a text message at around 3.30 pm to say he was home.
Adventure ended!
On April 14 I took a flight from London to Zurich to attend a conference for the PartyLite financial controllers; yes, I know, that doesn't sound terribly exciting. And, you're right, it wasn't all that exciting, but the Icelandic volcanic eruption certainly made the return journey something to remember. There were 3 UK attendees, Hirbai, my Senior Management Accountant, Andrew, the financial controller for our manufacturing plant in Cumbria and me. Although British airprts closed on the Thursday, Zurich airport remained open until Friday evening. It didn't make a lot ofdifference for Hirbai and me, and Andrew thought he might be able to catch his scheduled Saturday flight, but those hopes were dashed when we returned to our hotel at the airport on Friday night from a meal in the city.
At breakfast on Saturday morning Hirbai and I, who had been practising the "let's wait and see" philosophy decided that it was time to try and make a run for the coast. I contacted Madeleine, one of my work colleagues in the Swiss office, who somehow managed to find what we think may have been the only car available for a one way rental to France. I took a cab to their depot, completed the paperwork (which virtually involved paying a substantial deposit for the purchase of the car), and then waited for Madeleine, who had agreed to lead me back to the hotel so I could collect my luggage and my two friends.
Around midday we set off in the direction of Basel, which was reached fairly quickly. Just before we reached Basel I remembered the roadside service centre at which Lynne, the boys and I had stopped during our short European trip in 1991. It sticks in the memory because of the large Toblerone we purchased and then had to eat very quickly, as, due to the heat of the day, it was melting almost as quickly as we ate it.
Soon after passing through Basel we crossed the border and were in France. Our route then took us north in the general direction of Strasbourg, after which we headed west past nancy, Reims, Amiens and then to Rouen, where we had decided to stay the night. I was the sole driver, so during the afternoon we had taken two hourly stops, which, along with the supplies of water, juice, fruit, chips and sweets, had made it a relatively easy journey. We were very fortunate in being able to find 3 available rooms in the first hotel at which we stopped, and once the car was in its parking space we all headed to our respective rooms and had a great night's sleep.
During the afternoon I had been on the phone with Lynne, who, with Tristan's assistance had been able to book 3 ferry tickets for us for Sunday evening from Le Havre to Portsmouth. That left a relatively easy drive from Rouen to Le Havre on the Sunday morning and we headed for the rental car depot. Just to complicate matters the car was supposed to be dropped off at Calais, however Lynne and Tristan had found the only place from which we could catch a ferry was Le Havre, so we decided that Le Havre would be the car drop-off point! After some more adventures associated with the fact that the rental car depots were not open on Sunday we dropped it off at the airport (which was very quiet) and then took a cab back to the port area. We had a relaxing lunch after which we located the ferry depot and exchanged our text messaged ticket details for the ferry ticket.
We sailed at around 6.30 pm and arrived pretty well on time just before 9.00 pm. Again, Lynne and Tristan had been busy back at home in London and had booked train tickets for the journey from Portsmouth the London - on the 9.37 pm train. That led to the next challenge, as the ferry company decided to keep the foot passengers (us) on the ferry until all those with cars had driven off. They then decided that we should be taken 100 metres by bus to the Immigration area, which made the chances of us catching the train the more remote. The Immigration officer who dealt with me was very nice and polite, but very slow; another delay!
We caught a cab without any trouble and headed for the railway station. We arrived at about 9.40 pm, but the train was on time, so had already departed. The cab driver then made us an offer we couldn't refuse and we then headed off to London in the cab. We were dropped off at the Heathrow car park where I had left my car when I took the flight on the Wednesday; I dropped Hirbai at her home and then Andrew and I headed to our place, where we arrived at around 12.30 am. Andrew stayed the night and I took him to Watford Junction station the next morning, from where he caught a train north. He sent me a text message at around 3.30 pm to say he was home.
Adventure ended!
20 April 2010
More time in the UK
Well after only 3 weeks, Iceland decided that we should stay for another week. It is funny how these thigs happen.
We have had a great time exploring more of Britain, going further into the countyside than we did last time. Deb and I enjoyed our trip to Scotland. Plenty of castles to see and accents to listen to. So for the next few days before our rescheduled flight, who knows!
We have had a great time exploring more of Britain, going further into the countyside than we did last time. Deb and I enjoyed our trip to Scotland. Plenty of castles to see and accents to listen to. So for the next few days before our rescheduled flight, who knows!
27 January 2010
Jasper Kent Carruthers
Jasper was born on Monday 25 January 2010. He weighed 4075g, was 55cm in length and had a 37cm head circumference.
21 January 2010
20 December 2009
A new beginning...
What an exciting time of year it is. It is school holidays, Christmas is around the corner (well actually it is just up the road) and the newest Carruthers is soon to enter our world.
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